at the first effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the first effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was achieved or attempted successfully on the initial try or attempt. Example: "She managed to solve the complex equation at the first effort, impressing her classmates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

JUST as Hollywood blockbusters tend to spawn sequels, financial regulations do not usually stop at the first effort.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He describes his team's invention as the first effort at in-situ upgrades in the settlements.

The New York Times

(Venter, of course, was at the forefront of the first effort to decode the entire human genome).

Science Magazine

It was the Ramat Shlomo announcement that scuppered the first effort at establishing indirect talks.

The Guardian

His would not be the first effort at monitoring the expenses since work on the big hole began in late 2004.

The New York Times

But the first effort at Aqueduct failed when the original sponsor, the New York Racing Association, declared bankruptcy in 2006.

The New York Times

The pioneering Jewish settlement of Yesud ha-Maʿala (founded 1883) was the first effort at modern colonization.

Britannica

In between some sturdy challenges it took 21 minutes for the first effort at goal to arrive, Jamal Campbell-Ryce fizzing a hopeful shot wide from the right wing.

The Guardian - Sport

The first effort at the $75 million test, on Aug. 30, was halted with 20 seconds left in the countdown because of a faulty valve in a power unit that steers the nozzle.

The New York Times

In the three weeks since the terrorist attacks, the F.A.A. has opened brief windows when aircraft could leave airports within 25 miles of New York and Washington, but the new plan is the first effort at clearing the locations en masse.

The New York Times

"We are disappointed," Richard Cook, the project manager, said at a news conference after the first effort to get signals from the lander had failed.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the first effort" when you want to emphasize that something was achieved or attempted successfully on the initial try. It's particularly useful when the success or attempt was notable or unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "at the first effort" when a simpler term like "attempt" or "try" is more appropriate. The word "effort" can sometimes imply a greater degree of exertion than intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the first effort" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when or how something was accomplished. As Ludwig AI points out, this implies something was achieved successfully in the initial attempt.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the first effort" is a grammatically sound and understandable adverbial phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to highlight immediate success or accomplishment in an initial attempt. While synonyms like "on the first try" or "at the first attempt" are more common in informal contexts, "at the first effort" provides a slightly more formal emphasis on the exertion or deliberate action involved. Use "at the first effort" when the initial attempt holds particular significance or when emphasizing proficiency. Be mindful that a simpler term may be more appropriate in some contexts. It appears in a variety of reputable sources, including news outlets, scientific journals, and encyclopedias, making it a versatile phrase for different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the first try

Focuses on the attempt rather than the effort.

at the first attempt

Synonymous, replaces "effort" with "attempt".

on the initial attempt

Uses "initial" instead of "first", slightly more formal.

successfully on the first try

Emphasizes success in addition to the first try.

on the first go

Informal, uses "go" to mean attempt.

without difficulty

Shifts focus to the ease of the achievement.

with ease

Highlights the lack of struggle in achieving the goal.

on the first pass

Uses "pass" as an analogy to an attempt.

right away

Implies immediacy and success from the beginning.

at once

Emphasizes immediacy and the absence of delay.

FAQs

How can I use "at the first effort" in a sentence?

You can use "at the first effort" to emphasize successful completion of something during the initial attempt. For example, "She solved the problem "at the first effort", impressing her colleagues."

What's a more common alternative to "at the first effort"?

Common alternatives include "on the first try" or "at the first attempt", which are frequently used in everyday language.

Is "at the first effort" formal or informal?

While understandable, "at the first effort" leans towards a more formal tone compared to "on the first try" or "on the first go". The choice depends on the context and your desired level of formality.

When is it best to use "at the first effort" over other similar phrases?

Use "at the first effort" when you want to highlight the exertion or deliberate action taken during the initial attempt, especially when the outcome was successful despite potential challenges.